Bearing

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a bearing, in particular, a rotating guide for executing planar rotational motions in a kiln floor of a making plant. The bearing comprises upper and lower raceways with running surfaces ( 6, 7 ) between which moving rolling elements, e.g. rolling balls ( 3 ) are situated, the raceways being segmented into upper and lower segments ( 1, 2 ) in a circular ring-shaped manner.

The invention relates to a bearing, in particular to an annular bearing or internal guide for executing planar rotational movements, e.g., in round drying kilns, furnaces or flat-bottom distributing guides.

Ball or roller bearings with a large diameter for executing planar rotational movements are known in the art, e.g., for slewing cranes, tanks or machine tools. Despite their size, they are fabricated with great precision, which results in correspondingly high costs. In addition, the one-part tracks of the bearing elements are very hard to handle.

Therefore, the object of the invention is now to develop a bearing that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art, and in particular is easy to manufacture and handle at a comparatively low outlay, even at large diameters.

This object is achieved with the features of the claim; advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

The bearing is designed as a rotational guide (ball bearing slewing rim), wherein the upper and lower tracks or guide paths for the milling elements, e.g., rolls or balls, are segmented. The segments are interconnected by connecting and fitting elements, wherein the preferably automatically align themselves flush to each other during assembly. Upper and lower segments are also preferably designed in such a way as to achieve a sealing effect, and protect the roll elements and tracks of the segments against environmental influences.

The segments can be self-supporting, or provided with a substructure.

The advantage to the bearing according to the invention lies in the fact that it permits greater manufacturing tolerances than usual or per DIN at large radii or diameters, and hence is easier to fabricate. The segments can also be machined more easily than a large bearing ring. Fabrication is only as accurate as required by the respective application. A straight design can also be used in place of the annular design.

The invention will be described in greater detail below in an exemplary embodiment based on a drawing. Shown on the drawing are:

FIG. 1: The bearing in cross section

FIG. 2: A bearing arrangement in a furnace (top view)

The consoles 8 of carriers 9 in a round kiln (not explicitly shown) at a malting facility with an interior tower accommodate an annular rotational guide for a screw stripper or loader/unloader. The rotational guide (interior guide) can here have a diameter of approx. 12-20 m, wherein a segmented design is possible starting at a diameter of approx. 3 m.

The rotational guide consists of several segments (in this case 24) interconnected by connecting and centering elements 4, wherein each segment consists of an upper segment 1 and lower segment 2. The upper and lower segments 1, 2 have tracks with running surfaces 6 and 7, between which roller balls 3 move. The running surfaces 7 are only milled, which is sufficiently precise for slow running, and reduces the manufacturing costs.

In addition, the upper and lower segments 1, 2 are designed in such a way that a seal 5 is formed, securing the roller balls 3 and running surfaces 6, 7 against contaminants. The seal 5 can take the form of a labyrinth seal, for example.

REFERENCES

-   1 Upper segment -   2 Lower segment -   3 Roller ball -   4 Connecting and centering element -   5 Seal -   6 Running surface -   7 Running surface -   8 Console -   9 Carrier 

1. A bearing with roll elements that move freely between running surfaces of annular guides or raceways based on their design, characterized in that the roll elements are movably arranged between the upper and lower running surfaces (6, 7) of upper and lower segments (1, 2) of a rotational guide.
 2. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotational guide consists of individual annular ring segments. 